These funds can be used to improve existing school-based health center facilities through minor alteration and renovation activities and/or to purchase equipment, including telehealth equipment.

"School-based health centers play a critical role in preventing, screening, and treating some of the most common behavioral health issues known to affect student performance, overall health, and personal safety, including depression, anxiety, social conflict, adverse childhood experiences and attention disorders," said Jim Macrae, Associate Administrator of HRSA's Bureau of Primary Health Care.

School-based health centers, including the 120 that received awards today, are operated as a partnership between the school and a sponsoring facility such as a community health center, public health department, hospital, non-profit health care agency, local educational agency, or a program administered by the Indian Health Service or Bureau of Indian Affairs or operated by an Indian tribe or tribal organization. The specific services provided by school-based health centers vary based on community needs and resources as determined through collaborations between the community, the school district and the health care providers.

Since 2011, HRSA has awarded nearly $200 million to address significant and pressing capital needs to support the expansion and improvement of school-based health center services.